Primary Arms Micro Dot

[burrhead]

I'm not a high speed, low drag operator, I just want a moderately priced red dot. I'm thinking about a Primary Arms Micro Dot. This one.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Micro_Dot_Removable_Base_Gen_II_NV_p/md-rbgii.htm

Anyone have one? Have any thoughts or suggestions for an equivalent?

TIA

 

[Inebriated]

They're fine on range guns, not what I'd use to protect my life.

 

[PowerG]

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_Micro_Dot_Removable_Base_with_Flip_p/md-ad.htm

I've had one of these for about six months or so, I believe it's a variation of the same sight. It's on an AR that rides around in the truck a good bit, it's had about 700 rounds fired with it spread over about 15 usually impromptu sessions, still on original battery. Never had any problems with it, and it has held zero. I have an Aimpoint PRO on another rifle, it's supposedly much more durable and has insane battery life, but frankly looking through the two sites the PRO is better, but not four times better. I would wish it had a brightness setting between the 3 and 4 settings, for my eyes in sunlight 3 is too dim, 4 a little too bright. For a range toy it seems a good deal, they aren't suggested for more serious uses.

 

[dogmush]

I like the advanced series with the 50,000 hour battery life. I have one of those, and one of the ones you linked. Great optics fofor the price, and great company. I have never had one fail yet.

I do use an Aimpoint or EOTech for my serious use rifles.

 

[Sam1911]

Here's my write-up on mine: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=753613


(The replacement's been fine, but I've not got many rounds through it.)

 

[thefish]

Not that particular model, but I have this one:
https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_2_5X_Compact_Scope_PAC2_5X_p/pac2.5x.htm

I like the 2.5x, and also the fact that it has an etched reticle, so its black when off, like a scope. I actually use it more in the off state than on.

I think I paid $199 for it with a sale. Just my 2c.

 

[Rnelson]

I have had a micro on my ak for 4 years. You can leave it on for around 6 months before the battery runs down. Never had to re sight the ak and it has taken many beatings on the 4 wheeler. Quality product.

 

[jimbeaux82]

I have 3-4 on different rifles (AR's, AK's, SKS) and I have been very happy with them. I have not had a single issue. I also have Aimpoint Pro and Eotech. They are undoubtedly more rugged than the Primary Arms, but having BUIS that co-witness perfectly I feel is an adequate backup in the event of failure.

 

[wally]

I have 3-4 on different rifles (AR's, AK's, SKS) and I have been very happy with them. I have not had a single issue. I also have Aimpoint Pro and Eotech. They are undoubtedly more rugged than the Primary Arms, but having BUIS that co-witness perfectly I feel is an adequate backup in the event of failure.

I'll echo the nothing but good results with the PA micro red dots on a variety of AR & AK rifles and SBRs.

I want BUIS on anything that needs a battery! -- EOTech and Aimpoint included. YMMV, but I've a lifetime of bad experiences with batteries being unexpectedly dead in all manner of gear and gadgets. I like the MagPul, seem rugged enough when folded, and not too expensive. I also like having the BUIS as a reference when sighting in the red dot as its easy to turn the wrong way and most of their markings are too small and low contrast for these old eyes to read. After sight in I generally adjust the BUIS to the co-witness dot as I can shoot much better groups with the red dot that the irons -- which is why I want something that is effective and cheap enough that I can have on all my guns.

My EOtechs seem to eat batteries but I get several years of normal usage from the PA micro dots as long as I don't forget to turn them off.

 

[TTundra]

PA optics work, and work well. You said it best in your original post. You don't need something 'serious', so PA is gtg. Just read a thread on calguns where a user had a bad one. Busted at the range with just a few rounds fired, he posted it, and got a new one sent to him. PA has good CS. As posted above, they aren't eotech quality or aimpoint durability, not going to get that at a Chinese factory price point.

 

[1KPerDay]

They're GTG IMO. Mine has a sharper dot than my $500 Aimpoint H1.

 

[wally]

they aren't eotech quality or aimpoint durability, not going to get that at a Chinese factory price point

This may change with the new offering from Hi-Lux, their Micro-Max-B if their testing, as described in the current issue of Shotgun News is not bogus.
http://hi-luxoptics.com/index.php/micro-max-b-dot.html#product_tabs_description_tabbed

Although MSRP of $250 is still a fair amount above the PA offerings.

 

[Inebriated]

This may change with the new offering from Hi-Lux, their Micro-Max-B if their testing, as described in the current issue of Shotgun News is not bogus.
http://hi-luxoptics.com/index.php/micro-max-b-dot.html#product_tabs_description_tabbed

Although MSRP of $250 is still a fair amount above the PA offerings.

Unless they literally blow it up, as with the DD tests, and it endures years of military service, it will still just be another Chinese optic.

 

[wally]

Unless they literally blow it up, as with the DD tests, and it endures years of military service, it will still just be another Chinese optic.
Inebriated is online now Report Post Quick reply to this message

Other than hoping their tests aren't bogus, as we generally need better quality and lower prices on stuff, they claimed operation to -65 where the Aimpoint died at -40. Not that I'll ever be shooting or even outdoors in those temperatures!

I did some survival training where it hit -39, never again!

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Last year I bought my first red dot (yeah, at age 45! Somehow just never tried one ever before). The one I bought was a PA Classic Red Dot very similar to the one you linked. Like you I'm more low-speed, high-drag. The sight has worked very well. I can't say if it will last for five years but so far so good.

I did recently replace it with a HOLOSUN RDS that cost twice as much. Still not an Aimpoint but very nice. PA imports HOLOSUN, btw. The reason I upgraded was that my older PA didn't have an auto-on, just an auto-off. The HOLOSUN wakes instantly when moved and has been reliable.

I don't suppose I'd choose any of the Chinese RDSs as a "go to war" optic. But I'm not a soldier. I do keep the HOLOSUN on my home defense gun but it cowitnesses with the iron sights (okay, the plastic sights!) so I'd just put the front sight on the bad guy.

We are maybe in the same boat. I wanted an Aimpoint but I have astigmatism, and having never tried any RDS I didn't want to spend $400 without knowing if I could use a RDS. I do get a little bloom/smear from the dot- that is astigmatism, not an issue with the sight. But it doesn't impede my ability to get fast accurate hits with it, and it's not a lot of artifacts.

Eventually I will still probably get the Aimpoint for my serious defensive gun, but I think you'll be pretty pleased with the Primary Arms sight for range use or hunting/varmint shooting.